Mother Elsie Mae Allen-Flake, the daughter of the late Frank and Lula Ingram Allen and matriarch of the Allen family was born on December 25, 1912 in Anson County, NC and entered into eternal rest on Sunday, December 28, 2008 at the Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC.

Mother Flake's entire life was dedicated to nurturing and caring for others as she ministered to the needs of her many family members in sickness and health. She also reared the majority of her grandchildren who affectionately call her "Ma."

Mother Flake assisted in the miracle birthing, as she was a midwife for many years. Her love and compassion for others was endless as she never met a stranger. Even as a resident of the Oak Forest Rehabilitation Center (Nursing Center at Oak Summit), she always reminded the staff there to "Do the right thing," and that "God was taking care of her." The staff lover her as they affectionately called her "Grandma."

Mother Flake served God with all her might, as was evidenced in the way she endured life's trial and tribulations. She was a dedicated lifelong member of Pee Dee Baptist church of Lilesville, NC, where she was Mother of the Church. She was also a member of Brown New Calvary Baptist Church of Thomasville, NC where she was a member of the Spiritual Choir. Many times in devotional services, she would proclaim her life testimony: "Til I die, die, die. Til I die Oh Lord, I'm gonna serve God anyhow, til I Die."

Mother Flake was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Flake; children, Robert L. Flake, Sr., Dotsie Lue Flake, and Jessie M. Flake-Gould; great grandson, Glenn E. MacRall, Jr.; and 14 siblings.

Mother Flake is survived by a family that she very passionately loved and adored; four loving and devoted daughters, Geneva F. Horne (Theodore, Sr.) of Lilesville, NC, devoted caregiver, Madame Mary L. Flake-Haynie (James), Margie R. Flake (George Wilson, Jr.) both of Winston-Salem, NC, and Mary Frances Patterson of Hamden, CT; two sons, Dr. James W. Flake (Debra) of Lexington, NC and Esiah "June" Ingram (Mary) of Brooklyn, NY; one sister, Nora M. Cox of Woodbridge, VA; two brothers, James Allen and Jermon Allen both of Winston-Salem, NC; a devoted granddaughter Varia A. "Val" Haynie; a sister-in-law, Mary Allen of New Bern, NC; 23 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and 13 great, great grandchildren; loving and devoted nieces, Mable Guttman of Fort Washington, MD, Leola Brown of Brooklyn, NY, Bertha Benton of Manhattan, NY, Louise Hawthorne of Corapolis, PA; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

A homegoing celebration will be held at 11 am Saturday, January 3, 2009 at the Macedonia Worship Center with Apostle S.D. Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Pee Dee Baptist Church Cemetery, Lilesville, NC. Family visitation will be held from 10 am until 11 am Saturday at the church.